Rolling Hitch for a temp bridle, which type of line

[thinwater]

The OP has a rope rode. Using a second line, attached with a rolling hitch or prusik to make a bridle is long established practice. This is common on trimarans.

• The bridle line needs to be smaller so that the rolling hitch will grip. It should be a soft braided rope type. Nylon or polyester are common. Personally, I have used a prusik for this, because I find it easier and more secure. But a rolling hitch is well proven too.
• The main line can be either 3-strand or braid. Does not matter. I have used both. Currently, I use this method with 3-strand on my F-24. I used kernmantle on my Stiletto 27.
• The main line needs to be well secured.

That's it.

 

[Channel Sailor]

Thank you guys, very useful. I am still finalising my thoughts and sizes. There are only port and starboard cleats on the bow (200mm) size as I recall. Manufacturer says the max design spec for anchor rode on each of these cleats should be 25kN, the cleats installed are rated at 35kN each. These specs I think are more set for being towed. No fairleads. An approx’ 1m Sprit with a D12 Dyneema looking bobstay. Current plan in my head when in cruising mode is a choice on board of a Fortress FX11 or a Knox 9kg’ then 10m of 6mm chain (abrasion resistance and reduce risk of rode around the keel) then 40-50m of rope rode. The yacht is 3600kgs displacement empty, a very light weight monohull, 10-11m LOA, 2m draft. Uk English Channel sailing (both sides including for example Alderney and Herm for anchoring). The Knox would be the sleeping and visit ashore anchor. The Fortress would be the lunch hook (and race kedge). I think I will go for octoplait/multiplait nylon for the rode to starboard cleat, probably 14mm diameter. I will find out more about the climbers tape thing for a Prusik, with a carabiner, then onto a Double braid 8mm (2560kgs) or 10mm (3690kgs) which would fit the port side 200mm cleat quite well. Or maybe just use the 8-10 double braid for the prusik. When anchored I can adjust the rode length to suit the height of tide, wind and if it gets crowded. The D12 bobstay to protect it will have either a hose of somekind or a the outer stripped off an 18mm dock line. I’ll keep a halyard on the end of the sprit to help with the load. The mast is quite well aft and it is hank on sails, so maybe this will reduce the tendency to “sail or tack” about while anchored. If in a tide a builders rubble bucket as a drogue off the port side aft cleat might help as well.